Chapter 534: Chapter 534: The Great Purge
Chairman Sun’s carefully shaped eyebrows furrowed into a character resembling a mountain upon hearing Xu Ke’s words.
"I don’t understand what Mr. Xu means by this; please clarify, Mr. Xu," Chairman Sun said with an air of composure.
"We are all smart people here, there’s no need to pretend to be confused. The news of my assignment from Shangjing to Yunzhou spread a long time ago. Do you really expect me to believe that you didn’t have time to inform all the company employees? Don’t take me for a fool." Xu Ke chuckled lightly and said.
"Mr. Xu, you may not be aware of the company’s situation since you just arrived. What the former president did to the company, I believe Mr. Xu already knows. And so you should also understand that the company is in a period of crisis. I am a board member and the person holding the highest position below the president. I have the responsibility and obligation to shoulder this burden. I have been deeply concerned with the company matters day and night, which indeed made me forget to inform everyone about this matter; it truly was an oversight on my part, but if you say I did it intentionally, I won’t admit to that."
Chairman Sun looked Xu Ke straight in the face, showing not a hint of guilt.
"Just because I am newly appointed, doesn’t mean I am completely clueless about the situation here. Your rhetoric might convince others, but not me."
Xu Ke leaned back in his chair, his gaze deeply analyzing Chairman Sun.
Chairman Sun’s mouth curved with a sardonic smile, "What do you mean by this, Mr. Xu? Are you planning to fire me too? But I need to remind you, I own shares in this company as well. Even if your surname is Xu and you are the president of the Xu Group, you can’t kick me out of the company."
As soon as Chairman Sun said this, the atmosphere in the office became tense.
"I am aware, so I have no intention of kicking you out of the company now. This level of provocation is nothing to me, but I hope this is the last time."
"I know I am young, and this part of Yunzhou is a place you’ve been for a long time. Your superior has finally left, and just when you were about to wield complete authority, I suddenly descended. It’s normal for you to be unhappy with me. Of course, I don’t need you to submit to me; I just need you to be obedient." Xu Ke smiled faintly, his words carrying a cold tint that seemed to seep into the bones slowly.
"I won’t be staying too long in Yunzhou. Once the matters are resolved, I will leave. So if possible, I hope we can cooperate pleasantly. But if you don’t cooperate, this position is not irreplaceable. After all, no one in this world is indispensable, even if it might be slightly troublesome to achieve." Xu Ke said with a smile, looking at Chairman Sun word by word.
"If I haven’t misunderstood you, are you threatening me?" When Chairman Sun heard the first half of Xu Ke’s sentence, he felt slightly relieved. However, the latter half of what Xu Ke said made Chairman Sun’s expression turn cold, deeply feeling that he was being challenged.
Xu Ke looked at Chairman Sun’s reaction but had no intention of placating him, for Xu Ke always had a poor attitude towards those with ulterior motives intending to intimidate him.
"If you want to interpret it that way, it’s possible," Xu Ke raised an eyebrow and said.
"By the way, I really like the style of your office. Starting today, I’ll be appropriating this office. There should be some empty offices, right? Go pick another one yourself. This office will be mine until I return to Shangjing. You don’t have any objections, do you?"
Although Xu Ke’s words were phrased as questions, his demeanor showed no intention of asking but instead making a decision.
Chairman Sun was so angered by Xu Ke’s arbitrariness that his teeth itched, yet he had no choice but to swallow this insult quietly, silently bearing the grudge against Xu Ke.
Chairman Sun was determined to have this company in Yunzhou. Even if the person is Xu Ke from Shangjing, she cannot allow her prey to be seized by someone else.
Chairman Sun consoled herself for a moment before forcing a smile to face Xu Ke, saying, "No, that’s as it should be. If Mr. Xu has nothing else, I’ll take my leave now, as I’m quite busy. I’m sure with Mr. Xu’s understanding of the company, I don’t need to introduce anything more, right?"
Recalling what Xu Ke just said, Chairman Sun’s face wore a smile that bore no hint of warmth, subtly returning Xu Ke’s earlier words.
"Of course, you go about your business. This time, don’t forget what you need to do, or I’ll begin to doubt your competence for this position."
Xu Ke didn’t take the other’s retort to heart, responding mildly before waving for the other to leave.
Truth be told, Xu Ke did a lot of preparation before coming to Yunzhou. The Yunzhou branch didn’t hold much presence within the Xu Group because their revenue generation was pitifully low.
The investment did not justify the returns, so Xu Ke did not pay much attention to it. If it weren’t for the embezzlement situation arising, Xu Ke might have taken a while longer to notice the company’s existence.
Although the sum was insignificant for Xu Ke, the company’s issues still needed addressing. Reviving the company and making it profitable was Xu Ke’s main objective for coming here.
Honestly, seeing the performance of the employees so far, Xu Ke felt it was a miracle the company survived.
Before coming, Xu Ke thought of rescuing it, but now the idea was entirely discarded, only thinking of dismantling it before starting anew.
Xu Ke is a man of action, implementing ideas as soon as they’re conceived.
Thus, just after the employees learned about the new president’s appointment, they received news of large-scale layoffs.
This notice was much more explosive than the previous one, causing the whole company to erupt like a batch of fireworks instantly.
Not long after exiting the office, Chairman Sun stormed back in, face burning with visible rage.
"Hasn’t anyone told you to knock before entering?" Xu Ke smiled as he looked at Chairman Sun, who had burst in unexpectedly.
"That’s irrelevant. Do you know what you’re doing? You’ve laid off nearly seventy percent of the company staff. What do you want to do? Are you trying to shut down the company?" Chairman Sun shouted in anger at Xu Ke’s nonchalant demeanor.
"Such massive layoffs, do you know the panic it could cause? Are you even capable of managing a company? If you’re just here for fun, please leave immediately." Chairman Sun pointed towards the office door and said to Xu Ke.
"Even if you own the majority of the company’s shares, you can’t make such a decision. Anyone with a basic sense of reason wouldn’t act so recklessly. Your actions make me question your ability to work." Chairman Sun leaned on the desk with both hands, eyes laden with fine lines staring directly at Xu Ke, expressing her dissatisfaction.